Lake County Gazette

Newly elected state Rep. Chris Bos (R-Lake Zurich) isn’t buying Illinois legislative leaders' contention that the only reason they are now avoiding Springfield has to do with rising COVID-19 infection rates.

“I think it’s a concern, but definitely not the only concern,” Bos told the Lake County Gazette. “There’s a lot on the table right now that the legislature should be weighing in on. I think it’s essential that lawmakers be meeting at least in remote session.”

There seems little chance of that happening now after top lawmakers recently canceled the veto session slated to commence this month. While a recent email from House Speaker Mike Madigan’s office contends he has the backing of a “strong majority” of House Democrats in making the move, Bos, who knocked off incumbent state Rep. Mary Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville) in the 51st District with 54% of the vote, argues that hardly makes for good governance.

“They’re looking out for their own self-interest,” he said. “That’s not terribly shocking, but it’s completely sad, especially given how crazy things are right now.”

With Madigan now facing his own struggles, namely being at the center of an ongoing federal corruption probe involving ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme where benefits were allegedly steered to him in exchange for favorable legislation, Bos said he thinks it’s safe to assume the speaker now wants nothing to do with the issue of ethics reform.

“It’s the same with Gov. (J.B.) Pritzker,” he said. “Instead of calling on legislators to have insight on handling everything he’s too busy pushing his own edicts down on people. We live in too diverse a state for one man rule.”

The new session was slated to commence on Nov. 17 for the first day of a scheduled six-day session. The next General Assembly is due to be inaugurated Jan. 13.